Do My Best

When I got the calling to be the Bear Asst. last July, I was super intimidated. First of all, I have never been a scout, surprising, I know, so I had no idea what a Bear even was. The only things I know about scouts were learned from going to Pack Meetings with my brothers. (Who pays attention then?) Anyway, the ward boundaries changed in November and I was suddenly the Bear Leader. Whoa!!!
Well, I'm finally getting the hang of it and am liking it way more than I thought I would. We had Pack Meeting tonight and it was pretty stinkin' fun. We got to make paper airplanes, yell a lot, and watch grown men try to whistle with crackers in their mouths. What other calling in the church is there that allows you to act like an 8-10 year old kid and get away with it? So, even though I was scared at first, I'm really liking it and the challenges it brings.

There's No Place Like Home

When Spencer and I lived in WA and AZ and would come to UT for a visit, I would always refer to it as home, because I think home is where your family is. Of course it was nice to feel adult and live on our own, but I'm so thankful to be back HOME!!
As I mentioned in my last post, Audrey is really sick. She was up most of the night last night with a pretty high temp. and woke up this morning throwing up. She was so sweet last night, though. She kept telling me between groans that she loved me and even threw out one time that I am a star! Pretty cute, right?!
As I was getting out of bed way too early this morning, she asked where I was going. As I told her, she begged me not to go. "Please mommy, please stay here with me." I should add here that Spencer ended up on the floor, because I was sandwiched between Audrey and Isaac, so he was the bear that fell out when we all rolled over. Anyway, Audrey was so hot and I felt like a water bed exploded all over me, but I just couldn't resist her request. About an hour later, the barfing began. She threw up probably 5 times in 2 hours. This may sound strange at first, but I'm really thankful it was Audrey with the barfs, because she will do everything in her power to make it to the toilet, so we didn't have one mess to clean up. (Ah, the simple pleasures.) I don't know how she has such great control.
I got her in to the doctor at 10 and found out that she has an ear infection and a virus. The ear infection is causing the fever and the virus is making her throw up. Thank heaven for medicine, though, because she managed to keep the antibiotic and the Motrin down and has been a different kid since her fever broke at about 3 this afternoon. She was like a kid in a candy store at dinner. I don't remember her ever eating like that. Even after dinner was over, she raided the fridge for all the veggies she could find. Veggies? What 5 year old scours the fridge for veggies?
Amidst all this, Spencer's mom called, a couple of my sisters called, and my mom stopped by to see how she was doing. And to top it all off, my mom took Isaac home with her, so I could get the kitchen clean with Audreys' help. (Spencer is at BYU tonight.) It's such a blessing to be home again! (Hence, the title.) It makes me wonder how I ever got by in AZ while Spencer traveled so much. We had great friends that would sometimes call and invite us over and my amazing parents drove the 14 hours at a moments notice once when I was having a pregnant moment, but nothing compares to being just down the street. It's one of those blessings amidst a trial. One of the tender mercies. I'm thankful that Heavenly Father sent my family to be my guardian angels today. What would I ever do without them?!

Kids, kids, kids, and more kids!!

So, Audrey is still sick. In fact she's gotten worse as the day has progressed. I'm pretty sure it's an ear ache/cold, but boy, oh boy, is she grumpy and super whiny!! She's had a fever most of the day and just been miserable. She's spent most of the day just laying around, which got to her at about 10 this morning. I really feel for her, but this past hour has been one for the books. She won't go to bed, because she doesn't see the point since she won't be going to school tomorrow.
In the meantime, Isaac is up as well. He doesn't ever like to go to bed (when do we grow out of that?) so he does everything he can think of to get out of it. He even prays that we'll let him sleep in our bed. He must have a lot of faith, too, because he ends up there way more than he does his own bed. Hopefully that won't last much longer, either.
Anyway, Isaac potty trained a couple months ago, but we haven't quite gotten the unders back on after the deed is done, so he runs around commando quite often. He's been doing this tonight since I was putting laundry away and trying to get Audrey and Spencer to bed, so his nudity was my last priority. Well, that sent Audrey over the edge. She says, in her best disgusted voice, "Isaac, go get dressed. You are sicking me out." To which Isaac replies, "No I not."
This conversation continued for a few minutes until I finally helped Isaac get the Superhero Squad back on.
It's a really good thing this comic relief came when it did, too, because I was nearing the breaking point. You know that point, when you've asked a child to do the same thing at least 9 or 10 times, but all your really doing it exercising your vocal chords. With all that vocal exercise I do every day, I should be the worlds greatest opera singer.
Heavenly Father must really love my kids, because if it hadn't been for all the sicking out around here, there could have been real trouble.

Super Slacker

I've been feeling extra guilty for not blogging more often. (Can I say more often when it's been too long to remember my last post?) Audrey has a cold, so we stayed home from church today and one of our Sabbath activities was to watch Mormon Messages. One of them was President Eyring talking about writing in his journal every day no matter what. If an apostle who is surely busier than I am can take the time, then I certainly have no excuse. These are the times in my life that I'm sure I'll look back on and smile. (People in the grocery store remind me of this often.) Even though there are days like today when I'd like to cry, hopefully they'll be memories I can laugh at later.
Isn't it amazing how quickly life changes? Just a few months ago, I was playing Army wife on my own and now Spencer is home all day, every day. How lucky am I?! I hope to never take him for granted. He is such an amazing man and I don't know how I ever got along without him. Hopefully I'll never have to find out again, because I know which I like better. Being a "single parent" is the pits!!
So, here is the beginning of my being a good blogger. I was going to say again, but I just couldn't feel good about that. One day at a time, right?!

Zucchinis in A Defected Grave

Today has been a particularly funny kid day. Each one of the kids, with the exception of Michael, of course, has had their "Kids Say the Darndest Thing" moment. I'll start with Audrey, because her's was the funniest, I think.

She and Mom were sitting downstairs talking and Audrey says, "Grandma, I can't wear Zucchinis. When I was at Seven Peaks, my Zucchini gave me a rash." To make this even more funny, I wasn't sure at first what they were talking about and it wasn't until hours later that I got the joke. Also, Audrey was not amused and got quite upset that we were laughing, so we have to do it secretly.

Then, just after Spencer, Jr. got out of the bath and got dressed, he walked into the Kitchen and said, "Mom, I think the bath has made my foot defected." He thought it was pretty rude that we were laughing about it.

About an hour later, Spencer, Jr. was sitting at the table reading the "Friend" when Audrey walked in and looked over his shoulder at "Our Creative Friends." Audrey asked Spencer, Jr., "Are you going to draw a picture of you and dad?" To which he replied, very matter-of-factly, "Audrey, that's a picture of Adam and Even in the Sacred Grave." I had to leave so I could laugh.

Thanks for kids that bring a whole lot of comedy to life!!

This One's For You!!

I'm doing this just for you, Amanda. :) I started from the day he was born up until now, so you'd feel like you were here. Did it work?

Catch Up!

Apparently I've used this title before, which is a good indicator that I don't blog nearly enough. I guess once a month is better than not at all. I have finally uploaded pictures to my computer, though, so I can use those. That is no longer an excuse of mine but I'm sure I can think of some others.
The other day was Audrey's 5th birthday. I can hardly believe she's 5 already, but she reminds me often and I sometimes wonder if she's a teenager already. (I'm thankful she isn't.) Unfortunately, Spencer, Jr. came home from the ranch on Wednesday with the stomach flu and passed it on to Isaac and Audrey. So, lucky for Audrey, she had the flu on her birthday, so we celebrated a day late. She had a good attitude about it, but reminded me this morning that it was not as good as it could have been because there were no balloons. I guess I'll have to work on that for next year.
We've been having some fun in the backyard with the kiddie pool and the slip 'n slide. Who even knew that those two things combined could be so much fun?! It's been nice being at my parents for the summer since their backyard is so big. The kids love it and I love that they love it. It's a fun party place.
Spencer only has 4-6 weeks left in Iraq. That could always change, but that's just part of Army life. Nothing is set in stone. I think one thing the Army has taught me is to be flexible. Maybe someday I'll apply that knowledge.
I become more and more thankful for my wonderful husband as time passes and realize just how much he does for me and our family. I'm thankful for his unselfishness and positive attitude throughout it all. He's a great example and I truly admire the wonderful man he is. He had quite a scare this past week on a helicopter, so I'm extra thankful that he is safe. Heavenly Father obviously has lessons for us to learn.